Ink roller vibrator



April 969 P. HEIMLICHER ET AL 3,440,957

INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed May 20, 1966 Sheet L of 4 IN VE'N TORS. PAUL HE/M L lC'HER J'AN ROHRER A ril 29, 1969 P. HEIMLICHER ET AL 3,440,957

' INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed May 20. 1966 Sheet of 4 JNVE'IV T025. PAUl HE/M 'H JEAN ROHRER A TTOR/VE'XS.

April 1969 P. HEIMLICHER ET AL 3,440,957

INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed May 20. 1966 y Sheet 7 of 4 April 29, 1969 P. HEIMLICHER ET AL 3,440,957

INK ROLLER VIBRATOR Filed May 20, 1966 Sheet 4' of 4 5 mms/vraw.

PAUL HG'IML IC'f/EQ JEAN ROI/REP WZJ J M ATTORMFXS.

United States Patent US. Cl. 101-349 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for vibrating or oscillating an ink roller during its rotation includes a mounting for the roller axle which permits its axial shifting movement. The control link member is pivotally connected to the roller axle and it is shifted backwardly and forwardly to effect the desired oscillatory or vibratory movement of the ink roller. The construction includes a rotatable hollow shaft member which is located within a bushing bore of the control link member. A cross key is transversely shiftable within the hollow shaft member and it bears against the wall of the bore of the link member. A control key is slidable within the bore of a shaft member and engages the cross key. Upon axial movement of the control key the cross key is shifted transversely in order to shift the position of the control link member relative to the hollow shaft member and thus vary the eccentricity of the shaft rotational axis with respect to the axis of the bore of the bushing of the control link member. The hollow shaft is continuously rotated by means which may provide a speed variation. In addition, a linkage connection is effected between the means for shifting the control key and the means for changing the speed of the rotation of the shaft in order to vary the amplitude and frequency of vibration of the ink roller in one embodiment of the invention. Another embodiment of the invention provides a direct independent control of both speed and amplitude of vibration. A further embodiment includes a means for selectively connecting either a high speed or a low speed drive to the rotating shaft.

This invention relates in general to the mounting of inking rollers for printing machines and in particular to a new and useful mounting for an inking roller particularly for book-printing and offset printing machines which will permit the roller to swing laterally and including means for adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the lateral swing.

In book-printing and offset machines individual inking rollers must carry out a lateral swinging movement in order to obtain a fine ink film which is suitable for printing. When there is an increased ink path and an increased frequency of the swinging movement, the effectiveness of the ink distribution can be influenced in a positive sense. However, both values are limited in a practical sense, for example by the resultant stress on the rubber covering of the rubber rollers and the fact that they become subjected to a temperature rise because of their frictional movements with a corresponding harmful effect on the printing machine.

With color printing the inking path may be subjected to an additional limitation because of the requirement that different colors must not become mixed. On the other hand, when heavy forms, that is, large color areas are necessary, a great ink path is required. This has heretofore led to a mechanism for adjusting the inking path. For this reason, it is desirable that the frequency of the movement of the inking rollers be changeable so that it 3,440,957 Patented Apr. 29, 1969 "ice may be adapted to the inking path in order that the effectiveness of the ink distribution be in accordance with the color printing which is to be carried out.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided means for mounting an inking roller which permits lateral shifting movement and which includes a mechanism for imparting such shifting movement. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the mechanism includes means for adjusting the amount of shifting movement of the inking roller and also for adjusting the frequency in which this shifting movement is carried out. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, means are provided for changing the magnitude of the shifting movement and the frequency of the shifting movement simultaneously. In still another embodiment these separate functions may be carried out independently.

The shifting mechanism advantageously includes a linkage connected to one end of the inking shaft which includes a support bore in which a hollow shaft is rotatably mounted. The hollow shaft carries a drawing key with inclined faces which may be longitudinally displaced in order to shift the eccentricity of the hollow shaft and hence the amount of movement of the linkage connected to the inking cylinder or roller. The hollow shaft is rotated through gearing from a suitable drive mechanism which is connected to another operating part or rotatable part of the machine. The drive mechanism includes means for changing the speed of rotation of the hollow shaft either with a change in the amplitude of the movement or independently thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for mounting an inking roller which includes means for shifting the roller laterally and with further means for varying the amplitude of the shifting movement and the frequency at which it occurs.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for effecting a controlled lateral shifting movement of an inking roller which permits either independent or collective adjustment of both the amplitude of the shifting movement and the frequency of such movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism for effecting a controlled lateral shifting movement of an inking roller which permits either independent or collective adjustment of both the amplitude of the shifting movement and the frequency of such movement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a linkage control for shifting an inking roller which includes a control link having a bore in which is rotatable a hollow shaft, the hollow shaft being driven from a variable speed drive and with means which is slidable in respect to the shaft for adjusting the position thereof and its eccentricity in relation to the bore so that the eccentric movement may be converted into a lateral shifting movement of the link and the inking roller.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for mounting an inking roller of a printing machine which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial transverse sectional view of a mech- 3 anism for shifting an inking roller constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial section taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 1 of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a still further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a portion of the mechanism indicated in FIG. 5, with the mechanism in a decouped state.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a device for laterally shifting an inking cylinder or roller 1. The inking cylinder 1 includes a shaft 14 which is rotatably and axially displaceably carried in a journal of an end wall or main wall 2. In accordance with the invention, the mechanism for shifting the inking roller 1 is mounted on the main wall 2 and it includes a bracket or support portion 3 which is centered around an axle 14. An outer end portion of the support 3 is provided with a bore 4 in which is rotatable a hollow shaft 5 which is driven by a worm gear 6 aflixed to its lower end. A drawing key or control member 7 is housed for longitudinal displacement within the shaft 5 and it is provided with oblique faces 8 which are in engagement with a cross key member 9 which is shiftable cross-wise in respect to the shaft 5 upon axial displacement of the key 7. The cross key 9 extends diametrically outwardly from each side of the hollow shaft 5 and engages with the bushing 10 confined in the bore 11 of a thrust rod or control link member 12.

The thrust rod 12 is connected with a pivot member or joint element 13 which in turn engages in the axle 14 of the inking cylinder 1. Eccentric rotation of the shaft 5 in the bushing 10 will cause a lateral shifting movement of the control link 12 and the inking roller 1 in accordance with the amount of eccentricity of the hollow shaft 5 in relation to the bushings 10 as determined by the position of the key 7.

A support 15 is secured to the main wall 2 below the support 3 and carries a speed variator or speed control device 16. This mechanism includes speed gears therein (not shown) which are driven by a machine shaft 17 and gears 18, 18. The internal connection of the speed gears within the variator 16 is determined by the position of a lever 19 which may be shifted in order to vary the output speed of a shaft 32 having a worm which engages and drives the worm wheel 6.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a combined control of the magnitude and frequency of shifting movement of the roller 1 is possible. The support 3 has an extension 20 in which a pin 21 with a thread 22 is pivotal. Another extension 23 carries a joint 24 in which a T-shaped lever 25 is pivotal. Lever 25 engages at its outer end with a pivotal joint member 26 carried on a sliding key 7. It is connected at its opposite end through a link member 27 with the lever 19 of the variator 16. Lever 25 is pivoted by rotating hand wheel 28 which is affixed to a threaded sprindle 29. The spindle 29 threadably engages a joint bolt 31 which is moved in order to engage follower of the lever arm portion 25 for the pivotal movement thereof.

By rotating the hand wheel 28 clockwise viewed from the free side thereof, the lever 25 pivots for example clockwise to cause the sliding key 7 to be pulled upwardly. The oblique faces 8 of the sliding key cause a displacement of a cross key 9 and hence of shaft 5 in relation to the axis of the bushing 10. This causes a reduction of eccentricity of the drive through bushing 10 to control line 12 and a reduction in the magnitude of the swinging movement of the roller 1.

The pivoting of the lever 25 also causes a movement of the link 27 and a displacement of the lever 19 of the variator 16. This shifting of the lever 19 causes a changing of the mating gears within the variator 16 and hence a change (in this instance an increase) of the speed of the shaft 32. This causes a faster lateral movement of the roller 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 there is provided a mechanism generally designated B for shifting a roller 1 which is mounted in the main wall 2. The parts of this mechanism B are similar to that indicated in FIG. 1 and are similarly designated but there is no linkage connection between the pivotal lever 25' and the variator 16. In this embodiment, a separate hand wheel 34 is connected to a lever 19' in a manner to permit shifting thereof upon turning of the hand wheel. A hand wheel 33 is connected to a threaded spindle 29' for shifting the lever 25' to vary the position of the drawing key 7 as in the other embodiment. This mechanism B permits independent adjustment of both the amplitude of movement of the roller 1 and also of the frequency of the movement.

In most instances only the maximum possible inking path and a certain varied inking path need be employed. Thus, instead of a variator 16, a fixed drive with for example two invariable transmissions can be provided. When using heavy forms which require great lateral movement, the transmission is engaged which imparts to the worm drive for the shifting of the roller a relatively small speed of rotation while for different colors lying side by side the same lateral movement and a greater speed of rotation may be selected.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a support 3' of the type indicated for the mechanism B in FIG. 3 is employed. In this embodiment, however, there is no variator 16 but a driving shaft 41 of the machine is provided with a gear 42 which meshes with a gear 43 and an intermediate gear 44 and a small gear 45. The large gear 43 carries a shaft 43a with a worm which drives a worm gear 46 affixed to a hollow shaft. The worm gear 46 is driven in this connection relatively slowly. However, when the smaller wheel 45 drives the shaft 45a, and the worm gear 47, the speed is relatively fast. In order to facilitate the interchange of the drives of these gears, there is provided a sliding sleeve 48 which is connected through a bolt 49 with the drawing key 50. The sliding sleeve 48 carries on both sides a serration 51 which engages in internal cerrations 52 or 53 of either the worm drive 46 or 47, depending on whether the sliding key is in the lower or the upper end position. The rotative movement is imparted to the hollow shaft 5 as in the other embodiments to impart a shifting of the mechanism control arm 12 to shift the roller 1 backwardly and forwardly during the operation. The mechanism C includes a control wheel 28 for shifting a threaded spindle member 29' to cause pivoting of a lever 25" and the shifting of the key member 50, both for the purpose of changing the eccentricity and for the purpose of also changing the drive connection for slow or fast frequency of operation or shifting movement of the roller 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a mechanism generally designated D which is similar to the mechanism C of FIG. 4 but also includes a means for separately changing the amplitude of the lateral shifting movement of the roller 1 and the frequency of such movement. The mechanism D includes the slow speed shaft drive 43a for the Worm 46 and the fast speed drive shaft 45a for the worm 47' as in the embodiment of FIG. 4. In this embodiment, however, there is a check plate 55 which connects the drawing key 56 with the oblique faces 57 and the drawing key 58 with the sliding sleeve 59. If the cheek plate 55 is removed, as indicated in FIG. 6, the drawing wedge 58 can be brought by the lever 60 into one or the other end positions and it may be alfixed in such position by means of a set screw 61. This permits shifting from the slow to the fast speed drive, or vice versa, as required, and also permits independent movement of the key member 56 for the purpose of changing the magnitude of the shifting movement of the ink roller during the operation. Thus, a separate control through the hand wheel 62 and the spindle member 29" may be effected for changing the magnitude of shifting movement of the roller by the actuation of the control or connection member 12' and a separate control, namely the lever 60, is provided for changing the speed of the drive through the control mechanism 12'.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A mounting device for ink rollers in a printing machine, comprising a roller having a roller axle, means mounting said roller axle for rotative and axial shifting movement, a control link member connected to said roller axle to shift said roller axle cyclically in axial directions during the rotative operation of said roller, said control link member having a bore, a rotatable hollow shaft member in the bore of said control link member, a transversely shiftable cross key extending into said hollow shaft member and outwardly into engagement with said link member for positioning said link member in respect to the center of said hollow shaft member, a control key engaged with said cross key and being located within said hollow shaft member and being axially shiftable therein for moving said cross key transversely in order to change the position of the bore of said control link member relative to said axis of said shaft member for varying the amplitude of shifting movement of said control link member and said roller axle upon rotation of said hollow shaft member, and means for rotating said hollow shaft member.

'2. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said hollow shaft member includes means for varying the speed of rotation of said shaft member.

3. A mounting device according to claim 1, including a gear connected to said hollow shaft member, and a variable speed drive connected to said gear for selectively varying the rotational speed of said hollow shaft and the frequency of movement of said control member and said roller axle.

4. A mounting device acording to claim 3, including linkage means connected between said control key and said means for varying the speed of rotation of said shaft for varying the eccentricity of said hollow shaft and hence the amplitude of movement of said axle member simultaneously with the speed of rotation of said eccentric shaft.

5. A mounting device according to claim 1, including means connected to said shaft for driving said shaft at a selected speed, means for pre-setting the speed at which said means drives said shaft, and separate means connected to said control key for shifting said control key for varying the eccentric position of said hollow shaft relative to said bushing and the amplitude of shifting movement of said roller during rotation of said shaft.

6. A mounting device according to claim 1, including first and second gear drives connected to said shaft to rotate said shaft, said first gear drive rotating said shaft at a relatively high speed and said second gear drive rotating said shaft at a relatively low speed, and means for selectively connecting said first and second gear drives to said shaft.

7. A mounting device according to claim 6, wherein said means for selectively connecting said first and second gear drives to said shaft includes means for shifting said control key simultaneously.

8. A mounting device according to claim 6, including means connected to said control key for shifting said control key independently of the connection of said first and second gear drives to said shaft and hence the speed of rotation of said shaft.

9. A mounting device according to claim 8, wherein said means for selectively connecting said first and secand drives to said hollow shaft include a shifting lever, a control member slidable in said hollow shaft, said shifting lever being connected to said control member to shift said member for selectively engaging said first and second drives with said hollow shaft.

10. A mounting device according to claim 9, including a rotatable hand wheel, a pivotal crank member displaceable by said rotation of said hand wheel and connected to said control key and for moving said control key in accordance with rotation of said hand wheel.

11. A mounting device according to claim 1, including a speed variator device drivingly connected to said sleeve, including an output shaft, gear means within said variator, an input shaft, and means for selectively connecting said gear means within said variator for varying the speed of said output shaft from the speed of said input shaft.

12. A mounting device according to claim 1, including a pivotal lever connected to said control key for shifting said control key connected to said variator for changing the speed thereof simultaneously with the movement of said control key.

13. A mounting device according to claim 12, wherein said control link member includes a bushing portion having the bore therein said cross key extending through said hollow shaft member and outwardly from each side thereof and engaged in said bushing portion of said control link member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,741,414 12/ 1929 Graf. 2,282,655 5/ 1942 Huck. 2,506,778 5/1950 Crafts et al. 3,118,373 1/1964 Mosemiller 101348 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

I. REED FISHER, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 74-47 

